Gilford – Bertram C. Smith, “Bert”, of Cotton Hill Road in Gilford, passed away on April 3, 2013, surrounded by his adoring family. He was an exceptional husband, father and grandfather who always put his family’s needs before his own.

Mr. Smith was born on July 10, 1941 in Beebe River, N.H. to Adelbert Hazen and Winnifred Potter Smith.

After graduating from Plymouth High School in 1959, he enlisted in the U. S. Air Force for five years, serving an extra year due to the Cuban Missile Crisis. For three of those years, he was stationed at Hickam Air Force Base in Hawaii.

After leaving the Air Force, he was employed by the W. T. Grant Co. as a restaurant manager for both the Gilford and West Lebanon stores. It was during this time that he met his loving wife, Linda Page Smith.

For the past twenty-two years, he had been employed by the State of New Hampshire as an interviewer for the Dept. of Employment Security until his retirement on February 1, 2013.

Mr. Smith was a past member of the Plymouth Lodge of Elks. He was a wonderful cook who created the most delicious dishes – no recipes required.

In his younger years, he loved his motorcycle, his Thunderbird, bowling and spending time at the Page family cottage on Bear Island. He also liked to play cards, especially poker.

Most important, he and his wife were animal lovers who, over their forty-five years, have rescued many homeless “kitties” providing them a safe, comfortable home and much love. He is survived by his loving wife of forty-five years, Linda; a son, Derrick Jeffrey Smith; a daughter, Heather Noonan, and her husband, David; a daughter-in-law, Jennifer Smith, six grandchildren, Chelsey Smith, Bertram C. “C. J.” Smith III, Brittany Smith, Jahnna Doherty and twins, Kaylee and Kiara Smith; a sister, Kelly Tustin, and her husband, Fred; a brother, Kenneth Smith, and his wife, Nancy, and many nieces, nephews, cousins and his precious “kitties”. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by a son, Bertram Charles Smith II.

As per his wishes, there will be no calling hours.

Graveside services will be held at 2PM on Monday, April 8, 2013 at Sacred Heart Cemetery, Garfield Street, Laconia.